South-Carolina
South Carolina state Sen. John Scott, longtime Democratic lawmaker, dies at 69
COLUMBIA, S.C. — State Sen. John Scott, a longtime South Carolina lawmaker who served for more than three decades, died Sunday after a stint in the hospital, according to Democrats across the state. He was 69.
Scott had been at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, since Friday, when he was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical issue, according to Senate officials.
In a statement released by Senate President Thomas Alexander, Scott’s family said he “passed away peaceably while surrounded by family and close friends.”
Scott, a Columbia Democrat, operated a realty company and had been in the Legislature for more than 30 years, serving most recently on the Senate’s judiciary, medical affairs and penology committees. First elected to the state House in 1990, he won election to the Senate in 2008 and would have been up for reelection next year. He ran unopposed in the 2020 general election.
Marguerite Willis, who selected Scott as her running mate when she unsuccessfully sought the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2018, told The Associated Press on Sunday that she was with Scott’s family in Charleston when he died, and that she and Scott reflected recently on their campaign.
“John and I were just talking about this a month ago,” Willis said. “We were proud of that, and what it said about harmony and diversity and the importance of having both sexes and two races together. It broadened our vision and our experience, and thus our impact.”
Willis, who said she hadn’t known Scott until they became running mates, said their political affiliation quickly evolved in a close friendship.
“He was a superb supporter of women and women’s issues,” she said. “It was sort of an arranged marriage in a weird way: people put us together, and over the last five years, we became brother and sister. He was my friend and my family.”
A special election will be held to fill Scott’s seat. According to statute, after the Senate’s presiding officer calls for the election, filing opens on the third Friday after the vacancy, with the election to be held roughly three months later. Gov. Henry McMaster said in statement that Scott “will be deeply missed,” and the governor’s office said he would order flags lowered across the state once funeral arrangements were announced.
Scott’s impact reverberated Sunday throughout South Carolina’s Democratic circles. Christale Spain, elected earlier this year as chair of South Carolina’s Democratic Party and one of Scott’s constituents, remembered him as someone who “used his voice in the General Assembly to fight not only for his district but for all South Carolinians and his life’s work on issues of education, healthcare and economic development will have a lasting impact on our state.”
Senate Democratic Leader Brad Hutto remembered Scott’s “tireless work ethic, his willingness to bridge divides, and his unyielding commitment to the principles of justice and equality.”
“A giant tree has fallen,” former Democratic state Sen. Marlon Kimpson, who served alongside Scott before leaving the chamber earlier this year, said Sunday.
State Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, remembered Scott as a “numbers man” who was “always a solid voice particularly on financial and numerical matters” in the Legislature, but was even stronger in his faith, serving as a church deacon and often called on to pray at various events.
“John’s OK,” Malloy told AP on Sunday. “Looking back on what he did and his service, the only thing you can really say is that all is well with his soul, and job well done.”
Scott became Malloy’s Senate seat mate after the 2015 death of state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, who was gunned down along with eight parishioners in his downtown Charleston church.
“It will be a sad day to see that black drape on that seat, yet again,” an emotional Malloy said of the funereal cloth used to mark the seats of lawmakers who die during their terms in office. “It’s a reminder as to our humanity, and how precious life is.”
South-Carolina
Driver arrested for DUI challenged South Carolina cops to spelling bee on way to jail: police
How do you spell D-U-I?
A motorist accused of driving under the influence challenged a South Carolina cop hauling him off to jail to an impromptu spelling bee contest as part of a rash of “belligerent” antics last Saturday, authorities said.
Richard Anthony Demato suggested the wordy competition after he allegedly called the Mount Pleasant police officer an “idiot,” according to a police report cited by local outlets.
The 41-year-old suspect was initially arrested after authorities found him in a Walgreens parking lot near a red Grand Jeep Cherokee with a ruined right tire. He allegedly drove into the parking lot after striking two cars, authorities said.
When cops walked up to him, Demato darted to the side of the jeep and placed his hands behind his back. He appeared unsteady and slurred his speech during the interaction, WCIV reported, citing the police report.
After he refused field sobriety tests, police arrested Demato, who reeked of alcohol, the report alleges.
As he was placed under arrest, Demato directed nasty obscenities toward the cops and was acting in a “wild and belligerent manner,” the police report states, according to WCSC.
He also allegedly threatened to harm an officer while he was waiting to be taken to a hospital where he could be medically cleared for jail. Once there, he screamed at staff while kicking doors and equipment, authorities alleged.
On his way from the hospital to a jail cell, Demato attempted to play a game when he challenged an officer to the spelling bee and spelled out the word “Britain,” according to the police report.
Demato, who was also accused of kicking an officer in the arm, is facing charges of first-degree DUI, hit and run with property damage, and assaulting or resisting a police officer, according to reports.
He was reportedly released from jail on nearly $16,000 bail on Monday.
South-Carolina
Alabama-South Carolina free livestream: How to watch SEC basketball game, TV, schedule
The No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide play against the South Carolina Gamecocks in an SEC basketball game tonight. The matchup will begin at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
The Crimson Tide enter this matchup with a 12-2 record, with six consecutive wins. In their most recent game, the Crimson Tide defeated No. 12 Oklahoma 107-79.
During the victory, Mark Sears led the Alabama offense. He ended the game with 22 points, and he shot 11-13 from the free throw line. Sears only shot 5-13 from the field, so he will look to improve his offensive efficiency tonight.
The Gamecocks enter this matchup with a 10-4 record, but are coming off an 85-50 loss against Mississippi State.
During the loss, South Carolina struggled offensively. The team shot less than 30% from the field and less than 11% from three-point range.
Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
How to watch: No. 5 Alabama basketball at South Carolina
A blowout win over Oklahoma in Alabama’s SEC opener was great to see, but Nate Oats is interested in learning how his team’s success will translate on the road in conference play. The head coach will get his wish this week as the No. 5 Crimson Tide travels to South Carolina on Wednesday before visiting No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday.
“Looking forward to our first conference road game,” Oats said. “These are games where you find out if your team is going to be able to compete for a championship or not.”
First up for Alabama (12-2, 1-0) is a matchup against South Carolina (10-4, 0-1). The Gamecocks will be looking to shake off an ugly start to SEC play after suffering an 85-50 defeat to Mississippi State over the weekend. Alabama is currently a 10.5-point favorite heading into the matchup. However, Oats is expecting to face a much better South Carolina team when the Tide takes the court inside Colonial Life Arena on Wednesday night.
“This is a team that has beaten Clemson at home,” Oats said. “They’ve been a little bit up and down. Obviously, they didn’t play well against Mississippi State – we all saw that score. But I think we should expect a team more like what played Clemson than what played Mississippi State. Coming off that loss, I’m sure Coach Paris will have them ready to go.”
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Alabama’s first SEC road game of the season.
How to watch
Who: No. 5 Alabama (12-2, 1-0) vs. South Carolina (10-4, 0-1)
When: 6 p.m. CT, Wednesday, Jan. 8
Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia S.C.
Watch: SEC Network (Play-By-Play: Dave Neal, Analyst: Ron Slay)
Listen: Crimson Tide Sports Network | SIRIUS/XM 134/201 (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Analyst: Bryan Passink, Sideline: Roger Hoover)
Alabama’s projected starters
Mark Sears: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, graduate
Stats: 18.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.4 apg, 40.5% FG, 33.3% 3-pt
Labaron Philon: 6-foot-4, 177 pounds, freshman
Stats: 12.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, 53.5% FG, 28.3% 3-pt
Jarin Stevenson: 6-foot-11, 215 pounds, sophomore
Stats: 4.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg, 35.0% FG, 20.9% 3-pt
Grant Nelson: 6-foot-11, 230 pounds, graduate
Stats: 13.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.9 apg, 55.9% FG, 28.6% 3-pt
Clifford Omoruyi: 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, graduate
Stats: 7.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.7 apg, 73.6% FG
South Carolina’s projected starters
Jamarii Thomas: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, senior
Stats: 12.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 37.4% FG, 36.8% 3-pt
Jacobi Wright: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, senior
Stats: 8.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 41.3% FG, 41.0% 3-pt
Zachary Davis: 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, junior
Stats: 9.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 45.7% FG, 28.1% 3-pt
Collin Murray-Boyles: 6-foot-8, 245 pounds, sophomore
Stats: 15.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 61.8% FG, 33.3% 3-pt
Nick Pringle: 6-foot-10, 220 pounds, graduate
Stats: 10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 66.7% FG
Alabama’s rising young star
At this point, the only reminders that Labaron Philon is still a freshman are the conference awards he continues to rack up. The starting guard certainly hasn’t been playing like a first-year player.
Philon earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors for a second straight week, following a strong performance against Oklahoma over the weekend. The Mobile, Alabama native recorded 16 points on 5 of 10 shooting against the Sooners, tallying five assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals. It marked his 10th double-digit scoring performance and the fifth time he posted five or more assists in a game. Philon now leads the conference with three SEC Freshman of the Week Awards this season.
Following Tuesday’s practice, Oats was asked what he’s seeing from Philon now that he wasn’t seeing when the guard first joined Alabama over the summer.
“That’s a good question because he was pretty good in the preseason,” Oats responded. “He’s definitely got some experience. I think he understands that every play matters. … He’s starting to realize that the margin for error at this level is pretty thin, so every play matters — both offense and defense.”
Nelson’s improved numbers
Mark Sears gets more attention, but the other returning starter from last season’s Final Four run is putting up some impressive numbers as well. Grant Nelson logged his fourth double-double of the season against Oklahoma, scoring 12 points to go with 11 rebounds while also chipping in a pair of blocks and steals.
The graduate forward’s double-double tally should be even higher. He finished one rebound away from the feat during wins over North Carolina and Rutgers and a point away in the win over Kent State. Nelson also finished two rebounds away from a double-double in victories over South Dakota State and Illinois.
Nelson currently leads Alabama with 8.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while ranking second on the team averaging 13.1 points. He is making 55.9% of attempts from the floor, including 28.6% from beyond the arc. Each one of those stats is an improvement from last year when he was battling through some bumps and bruises while adjusting to an increased level of play following his transfer from North Dakota State.
“I think he’s been a lot more aggressive on the glass. I think he’s just being more assertive. He’s getting to the rim,” Oats said. “He’s been shooting the 3 a little bit better here the last week or two. If we can get him to keep his foot on the line he’s have three more 3s the last two games, but he has been shooting it better. We’re trying to post him a little more because he can pass out of it. He was turning it over a month or so ago, he’s done a better job of that, not turning it over when we post him.”
While Nelson’s post play has improved, the addition of Rutgers transfer center Cliff Omoruyi has allowed him to play more at his preferred four position. That’s given Nelson more opportunities to use his 6-foot-11 frame to his advantage against smaller competition.
Short-handed South Carolina
The Gamecocks will be down a starter on Wednesday night, as Myles Stute was ruled out indefinitely with a left lower leg deep vein thrombosis (blood clot). Stue has started all 14 games for South Carolina this season, averaging 5.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Zachary Davis or Morris Ugusuk.
Game notes
— Sears became the fifth player in program history with 1,500 points and 200 three-pointers in their Alabama career.
— Since the start of last season Alabama has scored 100 points or more in 14 games, which ranks No. 1 throughout Division I.
— Since Oats arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2019-20, Alabama is tied with Kentucky for a league-best 63 wins during SEC play.
— South Carolina has made 10 or more 3-pointers four times this season, winning each one of them.
— The Gamecocks have eight South Carolina natives on their roster, including former Alabama player Nick Pringle.
— South Carolina is 11-1 when shooting 50% or better under third-year head coach Lamont Paris. That includes a 3-0 mark this season.
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